Whether you are looking for a place to have a picnic, host an event or just cool off in the water from the summer sun, Metro’s Blue Lake Regional Park offers it all in a unique, family-friendly setting.
The tree-lined park provides opportunities for boating, fishing and wildlife watching and makes a beautiful backdrop for family gatherings, community events and special programs throughout the year.
Barrows Trail follows the old Barrows Road alignment for approximately half a mile along the top of the stream bank of Barrows Creek in south Beaverton. The east end of the trail then joins the soon to be completed, Westside Linear Park, a trail system that crosses all of Beaverton from south to north. Barrows Trail offers great walking opportunities, from a short, leisurely stroll for half a mile to a more strenuous walk of several miles along the Westside Trail.
This trail -- the first "rails-to-trails" linear state park built in Oregon -- follows an abandoned, 21-mile railroad line that stretches between the cities of Banks and Vernonia.
The 40-Mile Loop was originally proposed in 1904 by the Olmsted Brothers who were brought to Portland from Boston to propose a park system as part of the planning for the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition and World's Fair. The connected system was to be a 40-Mile Loop encircling the city. The name, 40-Mile Loop stuck, even as the planned loop trail has lengthened to more than 140 miles to include all of Multnomah County and to connect more than 30 parks. Now, a century later the 40-Mile Loop is nearly complete.
A large part of Washington County lies within the Tualatin River Valley; the county's western reaches are less densely populated and beautiful, with rolling hills, wetlands, small towns and views of the mountains that surround the valley. Grab your bike and hop on the MAX headed for Hillsboro to get in an afternoon of good company outdoors.
The Springwater Trail, on an old interurban rail line, is a paved, multi-use path that runs from Portland's eastside waterfront to Boring, Oregon. This trail is a must ride! Read on about biking the Springwater Trail from downtown Portland to downtown Gresham.
A great way to explore the North Portland Peninsula is by bike. A convenient starting point is the Rose Quarter Transit Center if you're coming from outside the downtown core. Head north on N Interstate to the first greenspace overlooking the rail yards near Overlook Park. The only real hill en route is on this first stretch.
